Endangered Species in Africa: Conservation Efforts & Organizations Making a Difference
The Crisis of Endangered Wildlife in Africa
Africa, home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, faces a severe conservation crisis. Due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change, many species are on the brink of extinction. Urgent conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect these magnificent creatures for future generations.
Critically Endangered Species in Africa
1. African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) 
Height at the shoulders: Between 2.50 and 3.95 m
Weight: Between 2.5 and 7 tons
Diet: Herbivorous, feeds on leaves, fruits, and tree bark
Gestation period: About 22 months
Birth: A single calf, born weighing around 90 kg and measuring 90 cm at the shoulder
Weaning: At four months, but the mother may occasionally provide milk until the calf is three years old
Life expectancy: Up to 70 years in the wild.
Their size has made them a prime target for poaching. History has shown us that it is usually the largest mammals that are most at risk from human hunting. Elephants are no different. We hunt them for their meat, their trunks, and their lucrative tusks.
There are around 450,000 elephants in the world. But many populations are much smaller than they used to be
- Conservation Status: Endangered
- Threats: Poaching for ivory, habitat fragmentation
- Conservation Efforts: Anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and wildlife corridors
| Legend Native Reintroduced Introduced Possibly extinct Extinct |
2. Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) 
Height at the shoulders: Between 1.4 and 1.8 m
Weight: Between 800 and 1,400 kg
Diet: Herbivorous, feeds on leaves, shoots, and branches of shrubs and trees
Gestation period: About 15 to 16 months
Birth: A single calf, born weighing around 35 to 50 kg
Weaning: At around two years old, but the mother may continue to provide care for several more years
Life expectancy: Up to 40 to 50 years in the wild
Their distinctive horns have made them a prime target for poaching. Throughout history, large mammals have been the most at risk from human hunting, and rhinos are no exception. They are poached for their valuable horns, which are highly sought after in the illegal wildlife trade.
There are fewer than 5,500 black rhinos left in the wild, and while conservation efforts have helped increase their numbers, they remain critically endangered.
Conservation Efforts: Strict anti-poaching laws, rhino sanctuaries, dehorning programs, and community engagement initiatives
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Threats: Poaching for horns, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade
3. Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Height: Between 1.2 and 1.8 m when standing upright
Weight: Between 100 and 220 kg (males can reach up to 180 kg or more)
Diet: Herbivorous, feeds on leaves, stems, roots, fruits, and bark
Gestation period: About 8.5 months
Birth: A single infant, born weighing around 1.8 to 2 kg
Weaning: At around three years old, but remains dependent on the mother for several more years
Life expectancy: Up to 35 to 40 years in the wild
Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered great apes. Due to their large size and strength, they have few natural predators. However, human activities have placed them at severe risk. Habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts have greatly reduced their populations.
There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, living in small, isolated populations in the forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Conservation Efforts: Ecotourism initiatives, strict anti-poaching laws, habitat restoration, and veterinary interventions to monitor health
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Threats: Habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict, diseases transmitted from humans
4. African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
Height at the shoulders: Between 60 and 75 cm
Weight: Between 18 and 36 kg
Diet: Carnivorous, primarily hunts medium-sized ungulates such as impalas and gazelles
Gestation period: About 69 to 73 days
Birth: A litter of 6 to 12 pups, born in a den and cared for by the entire pack
Weaning: At around 10 weeks, but pups rely on regurgitated food from adults for several months
Life expectancy: Up to 10 to 12 years in the wild
African wild dogs are highly social, living in packs with strong cooperative hunting strategies. However, they face severe threats from habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and diseases such as rabies and canine distemper transmitted by domestic animals.
There are fewer than 7,000 individuals left in the wild, with fragmented populations across sub-Saharan Africa.
Conservation Efforts: Protected reserves, disease control programs, anti-poaching initiatives, and community engagement to reduce conflict
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Threats: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, disease transmission from domestic animals
Organizations Leading Conservation Efforts
1. African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
AWF works to protect land, empower local communities, and combat wildlife trafficking across Africa. African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is one of the largest and oldest international conservation organizations based in and focused solely on Africa.
We protect at-risk wildlife and their habitats, partner with communities on strategies to coexist with nature, and support current and future African leaders to make thoughtful decisions about conservation and development.
Our work relies on the generous support of donors like you.
Join us in building a resilient future for Africa and the world—a future where both people and wildlife thrive, together. Please give today.
2. Save the Rhino International
Today Save the Rhino, led by CEO Jo Shaw, still takes every opportunity to prance about in these costumes; in fact, we now have twelve of them! We continue to take on extreme challenges across the world to raise money for rhino conservation, but we have certainly come a long way from the early days.
Since 2001, Save the Rhino has grown from a small charity raising £300,000 a year, to where we are today, raising around £2,000,000 for programmes in six African and two Asian countries, for all five species of rhino.
For 30 years from our humble beginnings with a big vision, our small team of nine still hold true to Dave’s founding principle that the money we raise “will be most effectively spent”.
We work with expert partners and use tested technologies and relevant scientific research to ensure our investments in rhino conservation have the greatest impact. We pride ourselves on the fact that we do not simply follow the latest fads but make sure that all our funding decisions are nuanced and well-researched, and in the best interests of rhinos and the people who protect them. https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/donate/
https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/donate/
Donate to Save the Rhino: Endangered Species in Africa: Threats, Conservation & How to Help3. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Our core mission is to save gorillas. We do this through a holistic approach that is founded on four key pillars: daily gorilla protection, scientific research, training the next generation of conservationists in Africa, and helping local communities. Our goal is to ensure the future of gorilla conservation for generations to come.
Donate to Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund
4. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Africa
WWF implements projects to combat deforestation, mitigate climate change, and protect Africa’s endangered species. Our strategic plan for Africa 2021-2025 seeks to debunk two big myths: One, that Conservation and Economic Development cannot co- exist; and two, that Conservation is only for the elite few.
Our overarching approach is one of Inclusive Conservation that ensures everyone’s voice is heard and that human rights and gender equity are central to our work and that we tackle power imbalances and corruption through effective and inclusive natural resource governance.
Building on our work over the past 60 years, our Africa strategy integrates our work across 14 countries, 7 priority landscapes, and a portfolio of regional programs in a framework aligned to WWF’s Global Goals of Zero loss of natural habitat, zero extinction and halving the human footprint of consumption, production, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030.
https://africa.panda.org/donate
5. The African Pangolin Working Group
The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) was established on 27 June 2011, following an inaugural meeting by a diverse group of people who all have one passion in common – understanding and protecting pangolins in Africa.
The APWG’s objectives are encompassed by its mission statement: “The African Pangolin Working Group will strive towards the conservation and protection of all four African pangolin species by generating knowledge, developing partnerships and creating public awareness and education initiatives.”
This organization fights illegal pangolin trafficking and promotes their conservation through research and advocacy.
How You Can Help
- Support Conservation Groups: Donate or volunteer with reputable wildlife organizations.
- Promote Awareness: Share information about endangered species and their threats.
- Advocate for Stronger Laws: Encourage governments to strengthen wildlife protection policies.
- Practice Sustainable Tourism: Choose eco-friendly safaris that support conservation initiatives.
Conclusion
Africa’s rich biodiversity is at risk, but with collective efforts, we can make a difference. By supporting conservation organizations, spreading awareness, and advocating for wildlife protection, we can help safeguard these species for future generations.
Stay Informed & Take Action!
Wildlife conservation is a shared responsibility. Follow trusted conservation organizations and stay updated on how you can contribute to protecting Africa’s endangered species.